We start every new school year with excitement, anticipation, and curiosity of what a new beginning will bring for our school community. This year, that feeling was amplified - like we hit the ground running and found our stride in record time, leaving no doubt we are headed to new heights. We are so thankful you are here with us at this time in our history to experience it, too.
First and foremost, we are thrilled to announce the 2024-25 school year has brought Ursuline its highest enrollment in almost a decade! Our amazing community has been vital in spreading the word about the difference an Ursuline education can make in a young person’s life through our exemplary academics, athletics, arts, and extracurricular programs. On behalf of all of us, thank you for your support. We still have more to do, so please keep up the great work!
In addition to our enrollment success, we also had an incredible turnout at our recent Open House, with more than 400 people in attendance. We received wonderful feedback about their tour experience, our student guides, our staff and faculty, and our campus spaces. Again, thank you - each of you are Ursuline ambassadors, and you are making a difference.
This fall, we are focused on another of our Blaze Brighter strategic goals - positioning Ursuline as a trusted national resource for girls’ education, which empowers leadership. In support of this effort, two of our legendary Upper School instructors, Lynda Churay and Sharon Waldron, co-teach our new ‘Women in Literature and the Humanities’ course - the first of its kind at Ursuline. This highly anticipated course examines the role of women in history, literature, and art and itsevolutioninsocietyovertime.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend empowHERed’s Future Female Leaders Golf Clinic and Sports Networking Panel with some of our Upper School students in September. The event focused on an important networking tool in business - golf. The day included presentations on demystifying rules and social etiquette around the game, networking opportunities for attendees, and a panel of women leaders in sports.
During the panel, we heard from Katie Godfrey ’00, Salesianum’s Athletic Director and current Ursuline parent. During this session, she said, “St. Francis deSales tells us to ‘Be who you are, and be that well.’ And females must feel empowered and understand they are uniquely instrumental in bringing strength and grace to leadership positions across all areas.”
Giving our students the opportunity to participate in events focused on women supporting women is an essential part of the Ursuline experience. Hearing from female leaders, especially those who walked the same hallways when they were students, gives our girls tangible role models who can inspire them to be trailblazers no matter the industry or field. It was a true honor to spend the day with our students, as they inspire me to always strive to be better - for them, us, and the future.
As always, thank you for supporting our amazing school community. Together, anything is possible.
Sincerely,
Dr. Trisha Medeiros President
2024-2025 Annual Fund at a Glance
Goal: $640,000
UA Operating Budget Sources
philanthropic support Ursuline receives allows us to stretch our budget to provide greater resources to our students, faculty, and staff each year.
Support for the salaries and benefits of our faculty and staff along with providing a generous tuition assistance program remain our greatest priorities. Every gift, large or small, is a tangible expression of gratitude and endorsement for the mission of the school.
will my donation support this year?
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION
Donna Kinzel
Meet Donna Kinzel, Ursuline Academy’s Chief Financial and Business Officer, who brings a wealth of experience and a warm smile to our school community. With her strategic insight and dedication to fiscal responsibility, Donna plays a crucial role in shaping our financial landscape, ensuring that our resources are allocated wisely to support our students, faculty, and programs.
Donna is more than just our CFO; Ursuline students know her as “Winnie’s Mom.” As a proud mom of our beloved school dog, she embodies the spirit of kindness and compassion that defines our community.
Donna’s passion for empowering the next generation of women leaders is palpable. Whether it’s leading an all-female business department, mentoring students via our finance club, or providing them with valuable insights into financial literacy and leadership, Donna is dedicated to this cause. Her commitment is best expressed by Judith McDowell ‘25, who says, “As a Senior at Ursuline, I have had the pleasure of working with Mrs. Kinzel in the Financial Literacy Club. She has been an amazing mentor and works hard to provide support and encouragement to the students she works with. As a student with no finance knowledge, Mrs. Kinzel helped me understand stocks and how to invest responsibly.”
Donna sees the future in our students and Ursuline Academy. She is a proud member of our 1893 Giving Society, a group dedicated to supporting our school’s mission through philanthropic efforts. Her involvement demonstrates her deep commitment to our school’s mission of empowering leaders and her belief in an Ursuline education.
“In my corporate career and volunteerism in higher education, I’ve enjoyed supporting young women through various programs. I support Ursuline Academy as a member of its 1893 Society because I understand the importance and value of high quality, all-girls secondary school education as a pathway to college and career success.” - Donna
When she’s not crunching numbers or guiding students, you will find Donna enjoying time with her family, exploring the outdoors with Winnie, and supporting the local community by serving on nonprofit boards such as Faithful Friends Animal Society, the Lerner Business School at the University of Delaware and the Forum of Executive Women, Delaware. Her passion for making a difference is evident in everything she does.
We’re grateful to have Donna Kinzel as a leader, mentor, and friend in our school community. Thank you, Donna, for all that you do!
GENERATION OF WOMEN LEADERS
THAT’S AN
URSULINE GIRL
Aynsley Inglis
Aynsley Inglis ‘05 has been appointed as the new Director of The School of First State Ballet Theatre at Whitehall, marking an exciting new chapter in her distinguished career in dance. She brings a wealth of experience to the position, having performed with some of the most prestigious ballet companies worldwide. Her professional journey includes dancing with the Universal Ballet Company in Seoul, South Korea, where she toured internationally, gracing stages across the globe in a wide array of classical and contemporary productions.
Aside from her international work, Aynsley has left an indelible mark on the American ballet scene. She has performed extensively across the United States with companies such as First State Ballet Theater, Ballet Fleming, Tulsa Ballet, the Christopher Caines Dance Company, Metropolitan Ballet, and Bay Area Houston Ballet. In 2010, she made history as the first Delawarean selected for the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi—an event referred to as the ‘Olympics of Ballet.’ Her participation earned her a place in the Library of Congress, a testament to her remarkable achievement.
Aynsley’s contributions to the arts have been recognized by state and local honors, including the prestigious Governor’s Award and the Wilmington Award for the Arts. Aynsley’s ballet training began at The School of FSBT and continued at the Kirov Academy. She also attended intensives at the American Ballet Theatre in New York City and the Kirov Academy in Washington, D.C. Her training included mentorship from renowned instructors like Pasha and Kristina Kambalov. She earned first place in Youth America Grand Prix’s Philadelphia Regional Senior Division in 2006. A proud graduate of the University of Delaware, she continues to inspire and contribute to the cultural landscape through her leadership and dedication to ballet.
Brooke Schaen
Brooke Schaen, a proud alumna from the Class of 2016, is thrilled to serve as the new Chair of the Ursuline Academy Alumnae Association this year! Brooke has been actively involved with the Alumnae Association since 2021 and looks forward to her new role to foster connections among fellow alumnae. This year, she’s excited to spearhead several initiatives, including launching an alumnae-owned business directory, establishing a mentoring program, and hosting an alumnae speed networking event. Brooke would love to hear from you if you have any ideas or want to connect!
As we continue to celebrate the incredible achievements of our alumnae, we invite you to submit nominations for consideration to be featured in our marketing materials. Your nominations may be profiled in our Alumnae Speaker Series, Impact Magazine, social media, and newsletters.
Thank you for your time and thoughtful nominations to help us showcase the diverse and inspiring stories within our Ursuline community! We look forward to hearing from you.
Scan the QR code to submit a nomination.
Aynsley was inducted into Ursuline Academy’s Arts Hall of Fame in 2016
NEW ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION CHAIR
Dr. Jennifer Anthony
Dr. Jennifer Anthony joined the Ursuline community in July, and it’s as if she has been here all along. Dr. Anthony possesses the experience, dedication, and talent to lead our Upper School, including extensive expertise in curriculum oversight and faculty development within faith-based communities. Jennifer began her career as an Assistant Professor at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia after earning a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley. Eventually, she was called to follow her heart and taught at the high school level, ultimately becoming the Science Department Chair at Salesianum School before moving to a similar leadership role at Westtown School.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with support and the excitement of starting the school year; even at 7:45 a.m., our students greet you with a smile. The faculty infuses our halls with empowerment, we have so much planned for a great year! To top it off, the parents have been so welcoming. The Ursuline community is already so special to me.”
URSULINE GLOBAL COOKBOOK STAFF
Brenda Cimorelli
- Dr. Anthony
We are excited to extend a warm Raider welcome to Brenda Cimorelli, who joined our Advancement team as the new Annual Fund & Alumnae Relations Manager. Brenda comes to us with a wealth of experience and a deep passion for community building. Her dedication and expertise will be instrumental in supporting our mission and strengthening the vibrant network of our Ursuline family.
As we begin this new chapter, we are eager to embrace the fresh perspectives and energy Brenda brings. We encourage everyone to join us in welcoming her and offering your support as she transitions into her new role. Together, we look forward to achieving great things and continuing the strong traditions of Ursuline.
Ursuline Academy recently recognized several students for participating in our award-winning Community Kitchen project, the Ursuline Global Cookbook. In addition to winning the Moulton Student Grant for Global Citizenship from the International Coalition for Girls Schools, the book has raised thousands of dollars for the community kitchen at Mother of Peace Primary School in Battambang, Cambodia. This cookbook, featuring recipes contributed by Ursuline community members from 25 countries worldwide, is available for sale in the Raider Closet.
Find more about this award-winning project by our students by scanning the code: Purchase a copy: ursulineraiderscloset.com
MONTESSORI UPDATE IN THE CLASSROOM
“Children acquire knowledge through experience in the environment.”
- Maria Montessori
Throughout this past spring and summer, Ursuline’s Montessori Program underwent a series of important updates made possible by Paul & Linda McConnell, Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists, and our tireless team of educators. While meeting Delaware’s Delacare mandate set forward by Governor Carney, our Early Childhood Program expanded to four classrooms and now offers kindergarten students additional instruction to prepare them for first grade. Each day, all kindergarteners come upstairs for “Pre-First” learning time, introducing students to the math, literacy, and religion curriculum used in our 1st-5th grades. Additionally, several upgrades were made to “Angie’s Home,” a practical life space where our youngest students innovate.
“As we observe children, we see the vitality of their spirit, the maximum effort put forth in all they do, the intuition, attention and focus they bring to all life’s events, and the sheer joy they experience in living.”
- Maria Montessori
Angie’s Home honors Maria Montessori and Angela Merici by giving our children a space to practice skills such as sweeping, pouring, stirring, cutting, baking, table setting, building, gardening, and more. Newly added to the space this year are four hydroponic gardens, functional kitchen equipment, religious artifacts, and, coming soon, a new sign to mark the space. Ursuline takes great pride in being the first Montessori school in Delaware and, to date, the only Catholic Montessori School in the state. Teaching our youngest children is important work that we will continue cultivating and growing.
CENTER FOR SUCCESS UPPER SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Our Upper School faculty continually strives to provide students with the most innovative and meaningful classroom experiences to stay relevant in today’s global society. As a result, our masterminds at the front of the classroom proposed and created a wide range of new courses for the 2024-25 school year.
Growth in our STEM program includes an Engineering elective that kicks off with a Design Thinking semester and then progresses into CAD and 3D Printing where they bring solutions to reality. While those students are working with power tools, others studying the new Financial Literacy course are actively engaged in learning about real-life investments through an interactive Stock Market game. The excitement continues as seniors challenge themselves with a new collaboration between the English and Social Studies departments with the new Women in Literature and Humanities offering. To further our elective opportunities, a handful of upperclassmen are engaged in our new partnership with local firm Dalton Law & Associates to study American Court Systems from the experts. Lastly, for those interested in pursuing their creative talents, we are excited to see the return of Explorations in Theater, fostering the performer in all of us.
This September, Ursuline established the Center for Success (CFS), a new academic student support program in our Middle and Upper School focused on providing personalized and enhanced learning experiences to ensure academic success for every student. Housed in the Stempel Family Library, the CFS is open to any student who has identified learning needs and requires accommodations in the classroom. Currently serving twenty students, the center is already thriving under the leadership of Mrs. Lori Bradley, a certified reading specialist with over 15 years of experience in creating and developing learning support programs from the ground up. Lori works collaboratively with students, teachers, counselors, and parents to help students gain confidence in their abilities and achieve success in and out of the classroom.
“The Center for Success is off to a great start! The students and teachers at Ursuline have been so welcoming and supportive and have embraced this new program. I am so grateful for this opportunity to learn and grow with the Ursuline community!”
- Lori Bradley
1106 Pennsylvania Avenue Wilmington, DE 19806
FUSCO FITNESS & HEALTH CENTER
The first phase of the Fusco Fitness and Health Center is now complete. The Laffey McHugh Gymnasium has been beautifully renovated with new top bleachers, enhanced signage, refinished flooring, lighting, soundproofing and paint, and improved HVAC. We cannot wait to share it with the UA community and watch our student athletes compete in this new space.
We are so grateful to those who have contributed to making this
project a reality, including Anthony N. Fusco Sr., EDiS, Kristina & Kevin Coen, and Dina & Chuck Egoville. If you are interested in learning about ways you can support the further development of the Fusco Fitness & Health Center, please contact Patrick Davey at pdavey@ursuline.org.
